What is killing my battery?

[Putershark]

That is the beauty of the 3 way bilge pump switch http://www.foreandaftmarine.com/7-1290.htm. Most 3 way switches work like this
Up the pump is on constant,
Center is off,
and down is your standard auto mode... And you can either buy a switch with a lighted handle to let you know when the pump is running, or have a LED bulb wired in and mounted by the switch to do the same...

This way though you can leave your battery switch on to keep your radio memory, but not kill the battery as fast from all the needless pump cycles .

[190dave]

I believe that your problem is the bilge pump. It runs on a timer and will run down a battery if the boat is not run on a regular basis.

Installing a battery on-off switch is a good idea, however most are installed such that the bilge pump is not switched. This is done so that boats that are left in the water are still able to pump out the bilge when the switch is in the off position. I good thing if the boat is left unattended.

I solved the problem by disabling the pump timer and installing a float switch for the bilge pump. Now the pump only runs when water in the bilge trips the float switch. Keep the bilge dry and the pump does not run. Works with the battery switch on or off. A simple fix and so far so good.

You may want to give this a try. The flaot switch cost about $25 and I installed it myself.

[ILLOGICAL GGC]

my 1100gph rule had an internal float switch and it quit so i installed an external one that also quit working . just keep a check on the external type foat switches as well . reach in the bilge from time to time and make sure the pump comes on when you lift it up.

[Codfish]

Or install an electronic switch, one with no moving parts to gum up and fail. Mine has been flawless since install early this year. Water Witch brand.

Codfish